Lighting fixture



March a, 1960. w. L. LIPSCOMB 2,921,993

. LIGHTING FIXTURE Filed Dec. 21, 1954 s Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. WILLIS L. LIPSCOMB March 8, 1960 w. L. LIPSCOMB LIGHTING FIXTURE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec; 21, 1954 INVENTOR. WILLIS L. LIPSCOMB' March 8, 1960 Filed Dec. 21, 1954 W. L. LIPSCOMB LIGHTING FIXTURE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. WILLIS L. LIPSCOMB Warm United States Patent LO" 2,927,993 LIGHTING FIXTURE Willis L. Lipscomb, San Diego, Calif. Application December 21, 1954, Serial No. 476,662

' 1 Claim. (31. 240-58 The present invention relates generally to lighting fix: tures and more particularly to a reflector element for use with a lighting fixture to provide a ceiling lighting component.

Any pronounced contrast in the degree of illumination of the ceiling and other portions of the lighted area has been determined as definitely undesirable, this being possibly particularly true in connection with gymnasiums, factories and the like. Of course, a large downward lighting component is ordinarily required. The present invention obtains the required proper distribution of light and the primary object of this invention is to provide areflector element for attachment-to a lighting fixture having a downward lighting component, the reflector element being fixed beneath the fixture to direct a portion of the light upwardly and outwardly for ceiling illumination.

Another object of this invention is to provide a reflector element which can be used with'fixtures having downwardly directed reflectors or with reflector'type lamps.

Another object of this invention is to provide a reflector element which also serves as a support for a lamp shielding panel.

Another object of this invention is to provide a reflector element which may be fitted to many existing types of 'lighting fixtures to give a ceiling lighting component there- 1Z0. Another object of this invention is to provide a reflector element which is easily detachable for cleaning and for servicing of the fixture.

Another object of this invention is to provide a reflector element which is adapted for fabrication from many different materials, So'that the choice of material can be according to the dictates of availability and price considerations, the exact sizes and proportions being matters easily determined to suit particular conditions and needs. Another object of this invention is to provide a reflector element which is inexpensive and practicable to manufacture.

With these and other objects definitely in view, this invention consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of elements and portions, as will be hereinafter fully described in the specification, particularly pointed out in the claims, and illustrated in the drawings whichform a material part of this disclosure and wherein similar. characters of reference indicate similar or identical -elements. and. portions-throughout the specification and throughout the views of the drawing, in which:

Fig. lis a perspective view, from below, showing the reflector fitted toa. dome typeincandescent light fixture.

Fig.'i2 is an venlargedvertical sectional view taken on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional View similar to Fig. 2, showing an alternative type of lamp enclosure panel.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view, from below, of the reflector element fitted to a fluorescent type fixture.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation view, partially cut away, of the assembly shown in Fig. 4.

. 2 Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 66 of Fig. 5.

Figs. 7-10 are fragmentary sectional views, similar to' Fig. 6, showing reflector elements of alternative cross sectional shapes.

Fig. 11 is a sectional view, similar to Fig. 2, showing the reflector element in use with a fixture. having a reflector type lamp.

Referring now to the structure illustrated in Figs. 1-3 of the drawing, the reflector element 8 is shown-fitted to a fixture having a lamp shade or, reflector bowl 10, also referred to hereinafter simply as a reflector, with a lamp holder portion 12 at its upper end, in which is a conventional electrical socket to hold an incandescent lamp 14. The bowl 10 is designed for suspension from a ceiling or the like in inverted position so that the light therefrom is directed downwardly, many well known types of suspension mountings being suitable for the purpose.

Suspended beneath the bowl 10 is the marginally disposed reflector element 8, illustrated herein as a circular, unitary ring having an upper edge 16 adjacent the level of and generally concentric with the edge portions defining the open lower end of the bowl 10 or, more specifically, the rolledor beaded lower rim 18 of said bowl, the reflector ring having an inwardly extending, substantially horizontal flange 20, an upwardly curving arcuate portion 22 and an upwardly extended sloping wall 24 which may 'be either flat or slightly arcuate in cross-sectional shape.

The reflector element 8 is attached to the bowl 10 by a plurality of upwardly extending brackets 26, the flanged lower ends 28 of which are fixed to the flange 20 and spaced slightly from the inner rim 30 of the flange. Secured through the upper ends of the brackets 26 are bolts 32, which project outwardly through suitable apertures 34 in the bowl 10 and are secured by wing nuts 36, or the like.

The lamp 14 is protected from beneath by a shield or enclosure panel 38 which rests on the upper surface of the flange 20. This enclosure panel 38 is illustrated in Fig. 2 as an open cellular or egg crate type having vertical ribs or walls 40, but may take several forms to suit various conditions. As a further example of enclosure panel a plain lens 42 of translucent or transparent material is shown in Fig. 3, this lens also being supported by the flange 20. Also shown in Fig. 3 is an alternative method of attaching the ring 16 to the bowl 10, in which a plurality of resilient clips 44 are secured to the flange 20, said clips extending upwardly and having inwardly turned detent portions 46 which snap over and engage the beaded rim 18.

In operation, the major portion of the light is directed downwardly through the enclosure panel 38. A considerable portion of the light, however, passes beneath the lower rim 18 of the bowl-shaped reflector 10 onto the surface of the arcuate portion 22. This light is reflected upwardly, as indicated by the directional arrows in Fig. 2, and illuminates the area above the fixture. The reflector element 8 and the reflector 10 are shaped and dimensioned to reflect a portion of the light onto the upper, outer surface of the reflector as indicated at the left side of Figure 2. The upper edge 16 of the sloping wall 24 is disposed slightlyabove the level of the lower rim 18 so that light is prevented from escaping directly laterally of the fixture.

The fixtureas fitted with the herein disclosed reflector element is especially suitable for use in gymnasiums and the like, where protection for the lamp is necessary and, in such cases, the light reflected to the ceiling prevents creation of undesirable sharply contrasting light and shade conditions and serves to increase the overall illumination level elficiently. The herein disclosed fixture also has many uses in industrial and other fields where deep shadows above the lighting fixtures are known to cause unnecessary eye fatigue.

An example of a further use of the reflector element is illustrated in Figs. 4-6.. The fluorescent type fixturehas an inverted, trough-like elongated reflector 50 in which a plurality of .tubular lamps 52 are terminally mounted in lamp holders 42. The lamps 52 are, of course, connected in the usual circuit having the ballast and starters necessary for such lamps, and the fixture is provided with suitable support hangers 56 for suspension from a ceiling or the like. The ends of the reflector 50 are enclosed by end plates 58.

The reflector element 60, in this instance, comprises a pair of opposed elongated reflector channels 62 joined at their ends in spaced relation by end plates 64. Each reflector channel, 62 has a substantially horizontal, inwardly extending fiange 66, an upwardly curving arcuate portion 68 and an upwardly sloping wall 70 integral therewith. The reflector channels 62 thus have a cross sectional shape similar to that of the reflector element 16.

The reflector element 60 is attached to the reflector 50 by suitable bolts 72 which pass through the end plates 64 and thence through the end plates 58, said bolts being retained. by wing nuts 74, or the like. The reflector element 60 is disposed so that therflanges 66 of the reflector channels 62 are spaced below the lower longitudinal edges 76 of the reflector 50.

A portion of the light from the lamp 52 is thus directed upwardly from the inner surface of the reflector channels 62, as indicated by the directional arrows in Fig. 4.

The lamps 52 may be protected from below by an enclosure panel such as the cellular shielding panel 78, which is supported on the flanges 66 in a manner similar to the enclosure panel 33 of the previously described fixture. The enclosure panel may be of any suitable type according to requirements, the cellular panel being illustrated merely as an example.

In order to clean or service the fixture, the reflector element 60 can be pivoted downwardly, as shown in dotted line in Fig. 6, merely by removing the bolts 72 from one side thereof. Alternatively, the reflector element 60 may be detached completely by removing all of the bolts 72.

The reflector element need not necessarily be shaped in cross section as shown in Figs. 1-6, but may take several forms, as in the somewhat diagrammatic Figs. 7-10, ac-

. cording to the specific light distribution required. For

purposes of illustration a fluorescent type light fixture 80 is shown fragmentarily in each instance.

In Fig. 7, the reflector element 82 has a generally flat portion 84, with an angularly upturned flange 86 along the outer longitudinal edge thereof. In Fig. 8, the reflector element S8 is a flat plate 90 which is dimensioned to suit the particular fixture as in all the other embodiments of this invention. In Fig. 9, the reflector element 92 is generally V-shaped in cross section and has upwardly sloping wall portions 94 joined at their lower edges. The reflector element 96 shown in Fig. has a flat base portion 93 at each side of which is an upwardly sloping wall 100, forming a trough-like element. The reflector elements 82, 88, 92 and 96 are, of course, attached to the lighting fixture in a suitable manner such as by interconnecting end plates or by means such as the clips 120 or the clips 26, 44 previously described. The various shapes of reflector elements provide light distribution patterns to suit difierent locations and can be arranged to give generally constant light over irregular ceiling structures.

Yet another use of the reflector element is shown in Fig.

11 in which the reflector element 102 takes the form of a ring, similar in structure to the reflector element 16. This reflector element 102 is used with a simple lighting fixture which comprises a lamp holder or husk 106 in which is mounted a reflector type lamp 108. Reflector type lamps are available in many sizes and usually have a silvered reflector surface on the major portion of the bulb so that the emitted light is concentrated. With the lamp 108 suspended vertically, as shown, the light therefrom is directed downwardly and the reflector element is used to provide the upward lighting component. The reflector element is supported by rods 110 each com prising a pair of links 112 each having a looped end 114 and a ball end 116. Thelooped ends of each pair of links 112 are interconnected and the ball end 116 of the other link 1112 is retained in a clip 120 fixed to the sloping wall portion 122 of reflector ring 102.

"For lamp protection the reflector element 102 maybe fitted with a cellular shielding panel 40, or the like, which is retained by a flanged memberl24'fixed to said reflector element 102 and surrounding the central opening 126 thereof. a

It will be evident that the reflector element, in its'various forms, can be used with lighting fixtures having a major portion if not all of their light output directed downwardly, the reflector element serving to redirect a portion of the light output upwardly around the fixture in a highly eflicient manner.

The operation of this invention will be clearly comprehended from a consideration of the foregoing description of the mechanical details thereof, taken in connection with the drawing and the above recited objects. It will be obvious that all said objects are amply achieved by this invention.

Further description would appear to be unnecessary.

It is understood that minor variation'from the forms of the invention disclosed herein may be made without departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and that the specification and drawing are to be considered as merely illustrative rather than limiting.

1 claim:

A lighting fixture comprising: a light source and a reflector constituting means for downwardly directing light from said source, Said reflector being transversely concave on its under side with a lower open end and an exposed upper outer surface curving upwardly and toward the center thereof; a reflector element having a reflecting surface on the upper side thereof and having therein a central opening similar to the lower open end of said reflector in shape and dimension wherethrough light may pass directly downwardly; and means for attachment of said reflector element at the lower side of and marginally of said reflector; said reflector element and reflector being shaped and dimensioned to reflect a portion of the light onto said upper outer surface of said reflector, whereby a portion of the light may be directed upwardly from said reflecting surface marginally of the fixture.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,941,469 Glatthar -L Ian. 2,1934 2,121,430 Guth June 21, 1938 2,138,635 Hoeveler Nov. 29, 1938 2,176,236 Parlato Oct. 17, 1939 2,214,600 Winkler Sept. 10, 1940 2,215,234 Skinner Sept. 17, 1940 2,418,131 Margolis Apr. 1, 1947 2,675,466 Baker Apr. 13, 1954 

